PCB, WI slam FICA report on security in Pakistan

LAHORE: Cricket boards of Pakistan and West Indies have rejected the report prepared by Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (FICA) which stated that it was dangerous to play international cricket in the Asian country, ARY News reported.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) criticized the FICA security report by stating that the association had done great disservice to the cause of cricket in general and Pakistan cricket in particular by advising players not to play in the PSL final in Lahore next March because of ‘security reasons’.

“FICA has cited unnamed expert security consultants for updated security advice that claims Pakistan is at an extremely elevated state of insecurity,” PCB stated.

West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has stated that international cricket should return to Pakistan. He added the decision of sending its team to the South Asian country — for bilateral series — will be made after the report of its security team.

The governing body of the sport in West Indies had also expressed its confidence on the assurance of security by Pakistan. WICB’s security delegation will comprise of Operations Manager Roland Holder and Head of Security Paul Slowe.

FICA had earlier stated that Pakistan continues to experience significant terrorist attacks across the country and westerners have in the past been directly targeted and killed in the country.

“Indiscriminate and targeted attacks are likely to continue, and expert advice is consistent with all Government Agencies and Diplomatic Missions, who generally advise to reconsider the need to travel, FICA stated.

There have been attacks at sporting events, which have had significant security overlay in the past, and terrorist groups in Pakistan have demonstrated the intent and capability to launch attacks anywhere in the country. Locations including luxury hotels are also at high risk of being targeted by militant groups,” the association stated.